Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Hitching or tethering
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-19
2002-08-27
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Hitching or tethering
C119S792000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06439168
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to animal restraints and the like, and more specifically to a leash for controlling two pets simultaneously. The present dual pet leash is particularly adaptable for use with dogs, although it may be used with other animal species as well, for walking or otherwise restraining the pets as desired.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pets have become increasingly popular as companions for many people. However, just as people enjoy the companionship of pets, most animals also enjoy companionship as well. With the busy work and other activities of most people, many pet owners have opted to have two or more pets, so the pets may keep one another company while the owner is at work or otherwise away from the household.
All pets require a certain amount of time and care on the part of the owner, with the time and care depending upon the species and size of the animal. Most larger animals are not suited for continuous confinement, and must receive at least some exercise on a regular basis in order to maintain their physical health and also to stimulate their minds so they remain alert. However, in most suburban areas, pets are not allowed to run freely.
Accordingly, pets in such environments must be restricted to a leash or other restraint, for walking or exercising. The owner of multiple pets is faced with the problem of controlling his or her pets simultaneously in such circumstances. While the owner may purchase a leash for each pet, this is somewhat redundant, as certain components (hand straps, etc.) are duplicated needlessly. In addition, two pets will often attempt to act independently of one another, particularly when immersed in the outdoor environment with its sights, scents, and sounds which prove attractive to many domesticated animals. The owner of two pets who attempts to walk his or her pets using two leashes, is often subjected to tugs and pulls in different directions as he or she attempts to control the pets simultaneously.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a dual pet leash, which allows the pet owner or person controlling the pets to restrain both pets simultaneously with a single leash line. The present dual pet leash includes a pet restraint line which passes through a ring at the end of the leash line opposite the handle strap thereof, with each end of the pet restraint line being attached to the collar or other restraint on the pet. The two animals are free to work back and forth against one another, with the pet restraint line running through the ring at the end of the leash. The two pets thus work against one another, rather than applying all of their energy against the controlling person. The present pet restraint also includes means for temporarily securing the leash to a stationary object (tree, pole, etc.) as desired.
A discussion of the related art known to the present inventor, and its differences from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,154 issued on Oct. 20, 1959 to Lewis E. Thomas, titled “Tethering Strap Arrangement For Animals,” describes a device for tethering or anchoring a single pet to the seat of an automobile or the like. The Thomas assembly includes al closed strap which fits about the seatback, with a leash attachment affixed to a point along the closed strap. A second strap is removably attachable to the leash attachment point. The second strap or leash cannot move along the length of the closed strap; the pet is essentially limited to the length of the second strap or leash, and the fixed attachment point. In any event, no secondary attachment for a second pet or leash loop, is provided by Thomas.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,970,729 issued on Feb. 7, 1961 to Jefferson H. Allen, titled “Carriers,” describes a device for carrying a series of articles (e.g., bottles). A series of lines are provided with eyelets at each of the ends thereof. The article attachment ends each have the line looped through the corresponding eyelet, with the neck of the article secured within the loop. The opposite eyelets are secured along a permanently closed loop of material, serving as a handle for the assembly. The Allen device is well suited for carrying an inanimate assembly of like objects, as the separate eyelet lines do not allow the articles to shift along the carrying loop. This teaches away from the present invention, in which it is desired to allow the single pet attachment line to run freely through the distal end of the leash.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,403 issued on Feb. 4, 1964 to Albert R. Molzan et al., titled “Cargo Sling,” describes a series of conventional adjustable length cargo tiedown straps, each of which has one end secured to a single central circular loop of multiple plies of webbing material. The configuration is thus more closely related to the article carrier of the Allen '729 U.S. Patent discussed above, than to the present invention, with its single pet retaining strap which passes loosely through a ring at the end of a single leash line. The present invention allows the pets to move back and forth at will, varying the amount of the retaining strap to each side of the leash ring inversely as each pet works farther out or closer in to the end of the leash. The conventional cargo straps of the Molzan et al. device are each adjustable, but once adjusted, their lengths are fixed and cannot shift due to random tensile forces on their ends, as provided by the present dual pet leash invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,311,088 issued on Mar. 28, 1967 to Henry Peterlin, titled “Training And Walking Leash,” describes a single line formed of light chain with a snap hook at one end, a central ring, and a distal ring or handle loop. The snap hook is secured to the animal's collar, with the chain being passed around the animal's chest. The distal end of the line is passed through the central ring to provide a more positive retention than provided only by the collar. The Peterlin device comprises only a single length of light chain, and cannot be used to secure two animals to a single leash, as provided by the present dual pet leash invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,972 issued on Nov. 14, 1989 to Dennis E. Crowe et al., titled “Double Pet Walker,” describes a leash arrangement having a single leash for holding by the pet caretaker, with a swivel snap fastener at the distal end thereof. Two additional pet restraint lines have loops at each of their ends, with one of the loops securing to the swivel snap fastener and each opposite end securing to the collar of the pet. This arrangement of two separate lines attaching to a single attachment point at the end of the leash line, cannot allow the pet restraint lines to vary their length relative to one another, as provided by the present dual pet leash invention. Also, while Crowe et al. show their leash secured about a stationary object, they must reconfigure their leash for such use so that it can no longer restrain two animals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,063 issued on Jan. 9, 1990 to Catherine M. Garrigan, titled “Leash For Two Or More Animals,” describes one or more pet restraint lines which are linked together and pass through a sleeve, which is slidably positioned along the restraint line(s) and serves as a handgrip for the animal handler. While this permits the pets to work back and forth, with the free ends of the leash varying inversely to one another as the pets move, no leash line is provided. The handler must retain a constant grip upon the sleeve at all times, and cannot relax his or her grip. The present dual pet leash, with its separate leash line connecting to the pet restraint line, provides a loop through which the handler may pass a hand in order to free the grip as desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,486 issued on Nov. 10, 1992 to Steve M. Brown, titled “Hands-Free Dog Jogger Apparatus,” describes a single pet restraint line which connects to an intermediate double line which in turn attaches to a waist belt worn by the animal handler. While the Brown device allows the handler to have his or he
Maglich Robert L.
Maglich Vivian Ruth
Litman Richard C.
Nguyen Son T.
Poon Peter M.
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